Haven't seen anything on here about the three new "custom built" jets just ordered by the U.S. Congress for their use. They are fancier than most homes. AND they made the auto execs. sell theirs. Something wrong with this picture? Forget now just how many BILLION dollars they will cost us (that's YOU AND ME) but we won't get to ride in them. Is this really necessary? NOT NO, BUT HELL NO. >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( Might add that our own Todd Tihart voted YES
The bill that included these 3 new jets was really about something else (transportation for the Air Force, although they only needed 1 of these 3 new jets). I think they call this "pork belly" or something like that?
Also, Todd Tiahart is very much FOR the aviation industry. He did not agree with Congress making the statement about jets being "unnecessary" and thought it would hurt the aviation industry in his home state. I can see how this is a "catch 22" for him... knows he needs to cut Congress spending, but also knows that he should support the industry that makes up a large portion of his consituents. Unfortunately, the jets were made in GA... and the 2 senators from that state were the ones pushing that bill so hard, too.
I don't disagree that this is spending that needs to be curbed, though.
It used be called pork but is now called "earmarks."
Fox news said yesterday that since it was an increase in an already existing order, it is not classified (apparently by Congressional rules) as an earmark.
This is pretty much what the congress has been doing for years. Democrats and Republicans are all the same, and they vote for eachothers pork. We the people are getting ripped off in congress every day and in the meantime, people are whining about issues that don't really matter, like Birth certificates, abortion, and a 2 billion dollar clunker program.
Quote from: Anmar on August 06, 2009, 01:57:51 PM
This is pretty much what the congress has been doing for years. Democrats and Republicans are all the same, and they vote for eachothers pork. We the people are getting ripped off in congress every day and in the meantime, people are whining about issues that don't really matter, like Birth certificates, abortion, and a 2 billion dollar clunker program.
These things DON'T MATTER ?????? REALLY !! ??
ANMAR, what matter is different for different individuals.
I guess to a degree, but lets look at something like Abortion.
People like to argue about abortion, but in the end, there is no point to the argument. Democrats are in favor of choice, there is already a Supreme court case that has established a precedent, and it's not going to be overturned. Conservatives want it overturned, but they also don't want judges who legislate from the bench. If you want it overturned, you have to have a bunch of judges who believes in legislating from the bench. Abortion isn't going to be illegal, period. Whether you like it or not, it's not going to happen and there is no point in arguing about it anymore.
If you want to talk about regulating it, thats a different issue and happens at the state level, which has nothing to do with national politics (ie president, congress, supreme court, etc)
Disclaimer: This is my opinion, i believe it to be factual. I'm not a fan of abortion, but the system needs a fundamental change before you can start trying to change issues.
Quote from: Anmar on August 06, 2009, 02:45:39 PM
I guess to a degree, but lets look at something like Abortion.
People like to argue about abortion, but in the end, there is no point to the argument. Democrats are in favor of choice, there is already a Supreme court case that has established a precedent, and it's not going to be overturned. Conservatives want it overturned, but they also don't want judges who legislate from the bench. If you want it overturned, you have to have a bunch of judges who believes in legislating from the bench. Abortion isn't going to be illegal, period. Whether you like it or not, it's not going to happen and there is no point in arguing about it anymore.
If you want to talk about regulating it, thats a different issue and happens at the state level, which has nothing to do with national politics (ie president, congress, supreme court, etc)
Disclaimer: This is my opinion, i believe it to be factual. I'm not a fan of abortion, but the system needs a fundamental change before you can start trying to change issues.
Anmar, poor choice of an example, totally off subject, which you could move to any of the threads on abortion. I know you can come up with a better example that has to do with the government spending money 3 jets.
I agree with those of you that think the spending of money on these 3 jets is not necessary and it is certainly a bad choice in my opinion to be done during our current economic situation.
David
hmm perhaps it's not a good example, i'm not trying to argue the abortion issue.
I agree that the extra spending isn't any good. The point i'm trying to make is that this happens all the time. It won't change unless there is a serious reform of how the government works. The whole system of lobbying is a croc of well, you know.
Quote from: Anmar on August 06, 2009, 03:01:53 PM
hmm perhaps it's not a good example, i'm not trying to argue the abortion issue.
I agree that the extra spending isn't any good. The point i'm trying to make is that this happens all the time. It won't change unless there is a serious reform of how the government works. The whole system of lobbying is a croc of well, you know.
That it closer to what I thought your point was. I can agree with your second statement.
David
This is really a hot subject on the news around here (Wichita and surrounding areas). People are really ticked off about this subject, and seem to be taking action by contacting the Congress-people about it. It's not the fact that the jets were purchased (although everyone agrees this is a waste of money), it's the fact that not long ago, these same Congress-people chastised the auto-industry for having/buying/maintaining jets. It's completely hypocritical!
To read the story from Channel 12 KWCH (CBS) and post your comments: http://www.kwch.com/global/story.asp?s=10855866 (http://www.kwch.com/global/story.asp?s=10855866)
Quote from: Anmar on August 06, 2009, 02:45:39 PM
Whether you like it or not, it's not going to happen and there is no point in arguing about it anymore.
Funny, that is what obama said about healthcare. This may apply to some folks that have a "victim" or "quitter" attitude. However, there are those that will continue to fight for what they believe in.
As for the jets being built, this should really come as no surprise, espcially with the current adminstration.
Quote from: Anmar on August 06, 2009, 01:57:51 PM
We the people are getting ripped off in congress every day and in the meantime, people are whining about issues that don't really matter, like Birth certificates, abortion, and a 2 billion dollar clunker program.
The birth certificate issue, I will agree is a dead issue, and abortion will always be a hot topic. However, the "Cash for Clunkers" program DOES matter. The gov't has taken three BILLION taxpayer dollars and given it to the auto industry. The biggest chunk of which is going to foregin auto makers.
Billy, 3 billion dollars is a drop in the pan. Where were you when Bush gave 70 billion directly to GM and Chrysler despite Congress voting against it.
Ok, first off, we aren't talking about Bush, why?...BECAUSE HE IS NOT THE PRESIDENT ANYMORE, I DIDN'T LIKE IT THEN, I DON'T LIKE IT NOW AND CONTINUING BAD POLICIES JUST BECAUSE "OH WELL, BUSH DID IT TO" DOESN'T MAKE IT RIGHT!!! 3 BILLION A DROP IN THE BUCKET....REALLY...I DON'T CARE IF IT IS 3 CENTS, IT IS STILL NOTHING MORE THAN A BAILOUT.
Sitting at Sears waiting to replace my battery in my van and watching the news in the reception room------------------It is now EIGHT THATS EIGHT JETS that Congress wants. whoops probably pushed too many buttons on the old laptop. Do they honestly think they are going to get these planes?
Larryj
Do you honestly think that they are not???
I was going to add a lot of info. but I got lazy. I stated my opinion on why this is wrong. So for anyone that cares contact your congress members. These planes are not just for Congress they will be used by military leaders, exec branch, cia, fbi and others. A simple 15 minutes of reading and "googling" will tell you more than I can in a short post. I think many people will agree this is not necessary to do now.
David
Quote from: larryJ on August 07, 2009, 04:17:06 PM
Sitting at Sears waiting to replace my battery in my van and watching the news in the reception room------------------It is now EIGHT THATS EIGHT JETS that Congress wants. whoops probably pushed too many buttons on the old laptop. Do they honestly think they are going to get these planes?
Larryj
Larry.... After our Overlord Class spends $550 million to buy eight jets, look for the US Congress to buy itself a fleet of these next year: The BMW 7 Series High Security : 2010
http://www.cartype.com/pages/4195/bmw_7_series_high_security__2010
An intercom system with concealed microphones and speakers allows safe communication with people outside of the vehicle without the need to open doors or windows. Additional safety options include an assault alarm, fire extinguishing system with temperature sensor for extinguishing fires in the engine compartment and below the vehicle as well as irritant gas sensors for protecting passengers from gas attacks. If the interior protection system is triggered by excess gas levels, all windows are closed automatically, the central locking system is activated, the fresh air valves are closed and the ventilation system is shut off. An additional internal fresh-air supply system ensures that passengers are provided with breathable air. BMW also offers special options for authorities, governments and embassies. The package provides a range of special features such as flag holders, arrangements for radio installations right through to a gun case with compartments for two machine guns in the center console. This just the car for our great law-makers up on the Hill, not to mention Hip-Hop record producers and ghetto pimps!
You can call your congressmen, but they seem to do whatever their hearts want after they get to D.C.
According to America's Morning News(A radio program I am listening to right now) Congress has canceled the 3 luxury Gulfstream jet order. Sometimes it works to complain to your Congressman. Thanks to those of you that wrote Congress as I did.
David
They approved a variety of planes. Among them were 8 passenger planes made by Gulfstream and Boeing. They canceled the order for the 3 of those planes which were the Gulfstream jets.
David
Quote from: Diane Amberg on August 11, 2009, 07:11:16 PM
Thanks David. Somewhere I read they had been on the replacement list for some time. The newer ones were supposed to be more fuel efficient and cheaper to operate.... but now is not the time. We were scheduled to replace one fire engine this year. T'aint gonna happen.
Here is an update since I wrote my post at 4:45 am my time and had been up almost 24 hours partly to watch the meteor showers I did not explain what I heard. Here is what I believe is more clear and correct statement. While they cut the jets that Congress added to the DOD requests the money will stay in the DOD budget for other purposes.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aUAmCOnTg.SU
Aug. 11 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. House leaders say they will drop plans to purchase four more VIP jets than were requested by the Department of Defense to transport government officials on foreign trips.
Representative John Murtha, the Pennsylvania Democrat who leads the House defense appropriations subcommittee, said he would cut the additional aircraft from legislation that would provide $636.3 billion for the U.S. military in fiscal 2010.
"If the Department of Defense does not want these aircraft, they will be eliminated from the bill," Murtha said in a statement issued yesterday.
Drew Hammill, a spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, said today in an e-mail that "the speaker supports Chairman Murtha's decision."
Members of Congress travel by military plane on official foreign trips, particularly to war zones like Iraq and Afghanistan.
Murtha denied that the House added the extra planes to improve lawmakers' travel, noting that "over the last five years, 85 percent of the use of these planes has been by the executive branch."
The change would likely occur in a House-Senate conference to resolve differences between the House-passed defense budget and what the Senate eventually produces. The House passed its legislation in June on a 400-30 vote.
Pentagon Welcomes Decision
In an e-mail today, Defense Department spokesman Geoff Morrell welcomed the decision. "We asked for what we need and want nothing more than that," Morrell said.
Murtha, in his statement, defended the request for the two extra Gulfstream C-37s, the military version of General Dynamics Corp.'s Gulfstream V, and two additional C-40s, the military version of the Boeing Co.'s 737.
The newer aircraft would replace older planes in the military's fleet and would cost "significantly less" to operate, he said.
The hourly cost to operate the C-37 -- $2,658 -- is less than half the $4,962 it costs each hour to fly the older C-20s, which the new aircraft would replace, Murtha said.
The C-40s would replace two 34-year-old C-9 aircraft that cost $1,000 more an hour to operate, Murtha said.
For related news, see: {TNI CNG DEF)
To contact the reporter on this story: James Rowley at jarowley@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: August 11, 2009 12:40 EDT